Your simple, budget friendly, simple to navigate Camera Sytem

[cwilson1996]

I don’t have any experience with any NVR other than BI and Reolink. I would like to hear your opinions on what NVR Camera setup would be a solid option for me to install for a local small business that covers most bases. Prefer that the UI for the customer is very simple and direct, but offers a good user experience for playback? Essentially, if you were to install a 8-12 camera setup, what would it be?

 

[looney2ns]

Don't buy any crap Reolink for starters.
BlueIris on a small form factor computer.
POE Switch.
These cameras depending on whether you need varifocal lens or not.
Varifocal Lens Cam: Here
Fixed focal lens cam: Here

Also see this: The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection | IP Cam Talk

 

[bigredfish]

Most Dahua NVR's are far simpler for the average novice non-techie to comprehend than BI.
That said, it they have trouble working their iPhone or navigating streaming TV, neither is going to be "simple"

The core components most would recommend would be below. Of course each site/scene is different and there may be a need for more specialized models. These are the top performers currently

These cameras (also come on bullet design and various variable focus models
EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP IR Starlight 2.7mm–12mm Var

Where good ambient light is available and/or running the white LED's at night is acceptable, the 4K models are hard to beat but have some narrow focus limitations
EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color Fixed-focal Warm L
The bullet version is actually better in this case
EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-X 8MP 1/1.2” CMOS Full-color Fixed-focal Warm L

Good NVR
EmpireTech NVR16CH-16P-2AI 16 Channels 1U 16PoE 2HDD Network Video Rec